Sports

CSU AD thrilled with football foundation

ByTHE DENVER POST

Posted:
11/06/2012 09:57:33 AM MST

New CSU football coach Jim McElwain is greeted by Jack Graham AD (M) and University President Tony Frank at the football indoor facility. Colorado State University announced their new head football coach Jim McElwain December 13, 2011 at a press conference in Ft. Collins. John Leyba, The Denver Post
(
John Leyba
)

FORT COLLINS -- Colorado State athletic director Jack Graham on Monday discussed the state of the football program and why there is a clear silver lining in the future.

The reality: CSU is 2-7, close to the cellar of the Mountain West and facing games against teams that are improved (UNLV and New Mexico) and a juggernaut (Boise State). Mix in a host of injuries and what emerges is a season of unmet expectations in the win-loss column.

"None of us are happy with the fact that we are 2-7 right now," Graham said. "As a matter of fact, we're all miserable. Results matter, and you want to win. We all want to win; we desperately want to win. And we will win. I guarantee you we're going to win."

Then Graham offered this: "And I am thrilled with what we've accomplished this season."

He explained his eye-opening remark.

"The message I gave to (CSU head coach Jim) McElwain was: 'The only thing you can do wrong was make short-term decisions that will compromise our long-term future. Build a foundation,' " he said. "And he has absolutely built a foundation. In order, he has said it's character first. No. 2, you have to be a great student. And No. 3, be a great athlete and be a great teammate. And it's literally in that order: character, academics and athleticism.

"And what we've made clear, what he has made clear, is you've got to do it all. I am 100 percent convinced that he's made all of the tough choices to make certain that's the way this program is being run.

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And yet in the big-money, results-oriented world of college football, the scores matter. McElwain was hired after Graham made clear the results from four years of previous coach Steve Fairchild -- who had three 3-9 seasons -- were not good enough. Fairchild was fired after last season.

McElwain has leeway, Graham said.

Because he has been happy with how quickly the behind-the-scenes aspects of the program have improved, Graham said, "This year I am not measuring success on the basis of how many wins we've got in the win column."

"That foundation will bear fruit in the future," he added. "It's going to take three to five years to turn this thing around. It's like turning around an aircraft carrier: It doesn't happen fast; it's just impossible. Mac is taking a group of football players, and he has coached them up into a great team that never quits. These guys do not quit. I am so proud of these guys for how hard they play and how much they care and how committed they are to our football program and to our university. I couldn't be more proud of those guys.

"So I am absolutely thrilled with the work that has been done this football season. I am thrilled with Jim McElwain as a head football coach and as a leader of that program, and every member of his staff. I'll stand right along side those guys and that team."

Grayson out. Quarterback Garrett Grayson (shoulder/clavicle) will not play Saturday against UNLV, McElwain said. Grayson was injured in the third quarter against Wyoming. Redshirt freshman Conner Smith is locked in as the starter against UNLV. It will be his third start. Grayson, meanwhile, could be out the rest of the season, though McElwain said he would stop short of saying that.